In light of rising energy prices caused by the Iran conflict, the CDU’s Economic Council reminds the government of its promise to lower the electricity tax.
“Electrification can, in the long run, help reduce dependence on volatile oil and gas prices” General Secretary Wolfgang Steiger told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”. He cautioned that this will only be possible if electricity stays affordable for consumers and businesses. “Therefore, as outlined in the coalition agreement, the electricity tax must be reduced for everyone-not just selectively” Steiger added.
The council’s statement increases pressure on the Union and SPD to fulfill the coalition commitment and cut the tax for all, including private households. Just a few days earlier, industry groups BDA, BDI, DIHK and ZDH issued a joint statement supporting this move. Last July, the government decided not to lower the tax for private households and small enterprises as promised, citing a weak fiscal position.
Steiger also referred to the European Commission’s new energy package. He described it as a “solid approach” to demand that the Brussels Citizens’ Energy Package include a reduction to the EU minimum level. “It is contradictory to push electric vehicles and heat pumps into the market with expensive subsidies on one hand, while on the other hand hindering electrification with artificially inflated electricity prices” he said.
Looking ahead to the current energy price crisis, the Economic Council called for strengthening Germany’s domestic energy supply. Steiger advocated increased use of national gas resources, even through unconventional methods such as fracking, “but of course under the highest safety and environmental standards”.